2001 vintage guide for Red Australia

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Weather Conditions

After significant rain in the winter and spring, a scorching summer came with record temperatures. Then, in February and March, rains followed. Heat stress and delayed ripening from the rain meant those vineyards that managed their canopies well to prevent sunburn and heat stress as well as those that cropped for lower yields produced the best fruit. Also vineyards with older root systems fared best, withstanding the heat stress better than younger properties. Given the conditions, it was not a great year for Pinot Noir, but quite a favourable one for Shiraz and in some cases Cabernet Sauvignon.